Interactive two-way transfer multimedia messaging service method

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an interactive two-way multimedia messaging service transfer method. A user sends a multimedia message to initiate the interactive 2-way transfer. A multimedia messaging service center sends the message to a multimedia messaging service dispatcher, so that the appropriate service provider is contacted according to the multimedia message. The digital multimedia content is obtained from the content service provider and a common service platform transforms the information into a multimedia message reply. Finally, the multimedia messaging service center sends the message to the user. The invention receives and transmits multimedia messages in order to provide the interactive two-way transmission system. In this way, mobile communication equipment users can access interactive content such as online games, anytime and anywhere.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to multimedia messaging services. Morespecifically, the present invention discloses a method for interactivetwo-way multimedia message transfer and a series of interactive onlinetransmissions using multimedia messaging services.

2. Description of the Prior Art

New models of mobile phones continue to be introduced into the market.Along with the completion of the next generation mobile phone standard,this has strengthened the growth of the wireless mobile data/web market.

With the introduction of Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), which cantransmit information such as images or data, the message transmissionservice industry has grown. In addition, the number of users orsubscribers to the multimedia services has increased.

MMS is a standard of the 3^(rd) generation messaging services. It cannot only send text messages, but also multimedia messages such as audio,graphics and image, etc. If the transmission speed permits, it can eventransmit video clips.

However, the traditional Short Message Service (SMS) can only transmitshort text or basic graphics. MMS can not only transmit a variety ofinformation, but has also inherited the advantage of the previousgenerations; it can process MMS through different brands of mobilephones to other brands of mobile phones. That is to say, MMS users cansend messages to any MMS users like their friends and family. MMS uses amultimedia messaging service center to transmit messages. It cantransmit a large amount of information rapidly and stably, as well asconfirm the messages were correctly sent to the destinations.

Similarly, due to the fast development of Internet, many types ofinteractive online games have been created. These allow multiple usersto play virtual games online. However, these kinds of interactive gamescan only be played on a computer or laptop. At the same time, the mobilemessaging of today can not provide online games. This can not satisfyuser's needs.

Therefore, there is a need for an efficient method of interactivetwo-way transfers utilizing MMS which provides users with a way toaccess interactive content, such as games, through the MMS of mobilephones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other advantages and in order to overcome thedisadvantages of the conventional method in accordance with the purposeof the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the presentinvention provides a method for interactive two-way multimedia messagetransfers and a series of interactive online transmissions usingmultimedia messaging services. The invention provides users with a wayto access interactive content, such as games, through the MMS of mobilephones.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of interactive2-way transfers using Multimedia Message Service, which allows users tosend and receive a series of continuous multimedia digital content orvideo information, in order to perform real time interactive 2-waytransmission of online games or educational material. In this way, userscan use mobile phones to play online games or participate in interactivelearning, anytime and anywhere.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofinteractive 2-way transfers using MMS without modifying or changing thestructure of the mobile phone in order to offer real time online gamesor interactive learning using MMS.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofinteractive 2-way transfers using MMS, to renew or update the multimediamessages sent by the user's mobile phone in order to record the game'sprogress or learning status.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofinteractive 2-way transfers using Multimedia Message Service, to enhancethe added value of a mobile phone by increasing the educational andentertainment functions of the mobile phone.

In order to achieve the objects mentioned above, the present inventionprovides a method for an MMS system that is in charge of receiving andtransmitting multimedia messages, as well as transmitting and receivingmultimedia messages to/from the user. A user sends a multimedia messageto initiate the interactive two-way transfer. A multimedia messagingservice center sends the message to a multimedia messaging servicedispatcher, so that the appropriate service provider is contactedaccording to the multimedia message. The digital multimedia content isobtained from the content service provider and a common service platformtransforms the information into a multimedia message reply. Finally, themultimedia messaging service center sends the message to the user.

Another application of the present invention uses the structurementioned above to process the interactive 2-way transmission by sendingmultimedia messages.

These and other objectives of the present invention will become obviousto those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the interactive2-way transfer system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the processing of the interactive 2-waytransfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

The present invention provides users with a way to use mobile phonesdirectly in order to transmit and receive a series of multimediamessages, for example multimedia digital video, in order to processinteractive 2-way transfers or transmissions of online games or learningmaterial. In this way, mobile phone users can play online games orlearn, anytime and anywhere.

Refer to FIG. 1, which is a block diagram illustrating the structure ofthe interactive 2-way transfer system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the structure of the interactive 2-way transfersystem using Multimedia Message Service comprises a multimedia messagingservice center (MMSC) 10, which is in charge of the transmission andreception of multimedia messages. Additionally, the MMSC 10 receivesmultimedia messages sent by a user's mobile phone 12. The multimediamessage contains a transmission address and a service code. The MMSC 10further comprises a database 102, containing a list or chart for servicecode lookup or investigation, the designated session and serviceinformation. The designated session and service information are obtainedby using the service code transmitted by a mobile phone.

An MMS dispatcher 14 obtains the designated URL of the service accordingto the multimedia message containing session and service informationsent by the MMSC 10. HTTP or XML is utilized in order to connect to thedesignated content service provider 16. The MMS dispatcher 14 can alsoconnect to a plurality of content service providers 16. Differentservice providers supply different kinds of digital multimedia content.

A common service platform (CSP) 18 uses HTTP or XML to download andreceive the multimedia content from the service provider 16. The CSP 18then transforms the multimedia content into a multimedia message replywith the address of the sender as well as the multimedia content. Then,the CSP 18 sends the message to the MMSC 10. Finally, the MMSC 10 sendsthe multimedia message reply to the user's mobile phone 12.

If the user continuously performs the interactive 2-way transmissionusing MMS, the steps mentioned above are repeated continuously until theuser stops sending the multimedia messages. In this way, the method ofthe present invention provides a means for playing real time interactiveonline games and learning through wireless communication equipment suchas mobile phones.

Refer to FIG. 2, which is a diagram illustrating the processing of theinteractive 2-way transfer system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Following is an example using online games. When the user starts to playa game on a mobile phone 12, the user first selects the desired game orthe game level on the mobile phone 12. A multimedia message thatincludes the sender's address and the service code is sent to the MMSC10. After the MMSC 10 obtains the desired game and service according tothe multimedia message containing the service code, the MMSC 10 sends amessage that includes the sender's address and session to a MMSdispatcher 14. According to the session information, the appropriatedesignated URL is obtained. Then the MMS dispatcher 14 sends the mobilephone number 12 and the message to the URL of the designated contentservice provider 16. The content service provider 16 sends themultimedia content that the user desires to a common service platform18, which transforms the information into a multimedia message reply.Finally, the MMSC 10 to the user's mobile phone 12 sends the message. Inthis way, a user with a mobile phone 12 can send and receive multimediamessages and link a series of continuous multimedia messages, in orderto achieve real time interactive 2-way transmission of online games,movies, or educational material.

Additionally, under the principle of not altering, modifying, orchanging the mobile phone or mobile phone standard, MMS can be directlyutilized to process real time interactive games or learning. Since eachpiece of sent information has an embedded code, the information of eachlevel can be recorded and followed. The multimedia messages can berenewed or updated according to the sent messages from the mobile phone,in order to follow the progress and stages of the game.

In a similar way, educational material can be presented to the user andthe progress of the student can be followed. For example, which lessonshave been completed, test scores, etc. can all be stored so thatcontinuous status is maintained.

Additionally, movies may be split into small scenes and which sceneshave been watched can be followed.

Basically, the structure and method of interactive 2-way transfers usingmultimedia messaging services of the present invention provided realtime interaction and 2-way transmission. In doing so, the educationaland entertainment functions of the mobile phone are enhanced, as well asincreasing the added value of the mobile phone.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view ofthe foregoing, it is intended that the present invention covermodifications and variations of this invention provided they fall withinthe scope of the invention and its equivalent.

1. An interactive 2-way transfer multimedia messaging service methodcomprising: sending at least one multimedia message, by a user, using amobile phone to send the at least one multimedia message, the at leastone multimedia message sent by the user including a user's address and aservice code; receiving the at least one multimedia message by amultimedia messaging service center and sending the at least onemultimedia message to a multimedia messaging service dispatcher;obtaining an address of a service provider, by the multimedia messagingservice dispatcher, according to the at least one multimedia message,contacting the service provider, and obtaining multimedia content fromthe service provider; wherein the step of contacting the serviceprovider is performed using eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and thestep of obtaining the multimedia content from the service provider andsending the reply to the user is performed using XML; transforming themultimedia content into at least one multimedia message reply, by acommon service platform, and sending the reply to the user via themultimedia messaging service center; and the steps are repeatedcontinuously until the user stops sending the at least one multimediamessage.
 2. An interactive 2-way transfer multimedia messaging servicemethod comprising: sending at least one multimedia message, by a user,using a mobile phone to send the at least one multimedia message, the atleast one multimedia message sent by the user including a user's addressand a service code; receiving the at least one multimedia message by amultimedia messaging service center and sending the at least onemultimedia message to a multimedia messaging service dispatcher, themultimedia messaging service center obtaining at least one session andservice datum according to the service code and the multimedia messagingservice center including a database with a reference list correspondingto the at least one session and service datum; obtaining an address of aservice provider, by the multimedia messaging service dispatcher,according to the at least one multimedia message, contacting the serviceprovider, and obtaining multimedia content from the service provider;wherein the step of contacting the service provider is performed usingeXtensible Markup Language (XML); and transforming the multimediacontent into at least one multimedia message reply, by a common serviceplatform, and sending the reply to the user via the multimedia messagingservice center; wherein the step of obtaining the multimedia contentfrom the service provider and sending the reply to the user is performedusing XML.
 3. The interactive 2-way transfer multimedia messagingservice method of claim 2, whereby the multimedia messaging servicedispatcher obtains a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) corresponding to theat least one multimedia message, containing the at least one session andservice datum sent by the multimedia messaging service center and thenconnects to the service provider corresponding to the URL.
 4. Theinteractive 2-way transfer multimedia messaging service method of claim1, whereby the multimedia messaging service dispatcher uses HypertextTransfer Protocol (HTTP) to connect to the service provider.
 5. Aninteractive 2-way transfer multimedia messaging service methodcomprising: sending at least one multimedia message, by a user, using amobile phone to send the at least one multimedia message, the at leastone multimedia message sent by the user including a user's address and aservice code; receiving the at least one multimedia message by amultimedia messaging service center and sending the at least onemultimedia message to a multimedia messaging service dispatcher;obtaining an address of a service provider, by the multimedia messagingservice dispatcher, according to the at least one multimedia message,contacting the service provider, and obtaining multimedia content fromthe service provider; wherein the step of contacting the serviceprovider is performed using eXtensible Markup Language (XML); andtransforming the multimedia content into at least one multimedia messagereply, by a common service platform, and sending the reply to the uservia the multimedia messaging service center, the common service platformsending the at least one multimedia message reply comprising a user'saddress and the multimedia content, to the user via the multimediamessaging service center; wherein the step of obtaining the multimediacontent from the service provider and sending the reply to the user isperformed using XML and, wherein the common service platform and theservice provider use HTTP to transmit the multimedia content and the atleast one multimedia message reply to the user.